Looking to hear great live music at the beach? Downtown Charleston may be known for its many venues and bars with music spilling onto King and Market streets, but the islands of the Lowcountry know how to put on a good show, too. From dirty blues at Sullivan’s Island Home Team BBQ to legendary rock shows at the Windjammer on the Isle of Palms, there are several sweet spots nearby — both new and old — with plenty of music you can kick back and sip a beer to. Here are just a few of our favorite venues for live music on Sullivan’s and IOP.

Photo from @hometeambbq

On Sullivan’s:

Dunleavy’s Pub | 2213 Middle Street

If you love a good, old-fashioned pub, you’ll love Dunleavy’s, where Guinness lovers have cheers’d their beers for over 20 years. Outside are picnic tables for pints in the sunshine, while inside you can enjoy some of the best Irish folk music in Charleston from well-loved local artists like Carroll Brown.

High Thyme | 2213 Middle Street

At High Thyme, Southern seafood fare is always the catch of the day, but you’ll also love all the live music this restaurant/venue has on the menu. Local Celtic folk favorites the Hungry Monks play here on the reg, as do guys like Moon Dog, Carroll Brown (you really can’t get enough of Carroll!), and the Reckoning, the latter of which is a lovely, local Grateful Dead strings cover band.

Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ | 2209 Middle Street

Known for their BBQ and arguably more so for their wings (best in town, y’all), Home Team has more than good grub — it puts on great live music, too, particularly blues, folk, Americana, and country artists.

Photo from @windjammeriop

On the IOP:

The Windjammer | 1008 Ocean Blvd.

Even most new islanders know about the Windjammer — a Charleston, not just an IOP, institution for over 40 years. Legends like Hootie & the Blowfish, the Blue Dogs, Drivin’ N Cryin’, and Southern Culture on the Skids have performed here for decades, both inside and out — the back features a deck majestically overlooking the beach action and the sea. Inside you’ll find the main stage and an open-air bar perfect for ocean breezes that constantly remind you that life is good.

The Dinghy | 8 J C Long Blvd.

The Dinghy is relatively new to the island, having come on board the scene only three or so years ago. Locals love it for the live music you can consistently catch nightly here. Artists are local and much loved by the regulars, making this special spot a lively, neighborly kind of place. Oh, and FYI their Dirty Elvis Fries are a dream.

Morgan Creek Grill | 80 41st Ave.

Situated on the water with brilliant sea breezes aplenty, Morgan Creek Grill is the definition of chill, particularly when you add live music to the mix. Morgan Creek recently added a recurring event called Wintertide: Songwriters in the Round, featuring local singer-songwriters every week along with an oyster roast. Head to morgancreekgrill.com for more details.

What’s your favorite local music venue on Sullivan’s Island or Isle of Palms?

Beep Beep – We’ve got us a TRAFFIC JAM!

Folly Gras, Folly Beach, dunes properties

Folly Beach celebrated Mardi Gras Folly style on Saturday with their 7th Annual Folly Gras Festival and Parade. This family friendly event takes place every February and encourages attendees to show up in their best Mardi Gras outfit. The parade takes place on Center Street and features food vendors, street vendors, and various bands.

This Saturday Folly Gras got off to a slow start, with none other than a parade TRAFFIC JAM to begin what resulted in a looong day of eating, drinking, dancing and avid bead collecting. Locals & out-of-towners gathered together at Center Street on Folly Beach ready to strut their stuff at the start of the 2pm parade, only to be held up by an immobile classic car which was promptly “kicked to the curb” to sit the rest of the parade out.

Moving along just fine, Mayor Tim Goodwin led the way in a baby blue Mustang, followed by local businesses and socialites decked to the nines showing their NOLA spirit.

The ever-so-colorful dunes properties convertible followed closely behind, sporting dunes flags, agents in costume and a never-ending supply of beads, keychains, candy and more for all the kiddies to enjoy.

Festival goers this year enjoyed musical jams by the Shakin’ Martinis, the Hungry Monks, Soulfish, Hollow Point and Gaslight Street, with NOLA inspired foods and costumes to round out the four hour event which carried on late into the night after streets were reopened.

Here is your March 2010 real estate market report for Folly Beach. There were 6 properties sold during March 2010. They included one lot on Little Oak Island, a Mariner’s Cay for $412k and an oceanfront property for $655k. The average sales price for the month was $393,400. This continues the downward trend on prices and it seems like many sales are pushing prices lower. This has resulted in a higher number of transactions, as buyers realize that prices are now within reach and pull the trigger on the island lifestyle they have been dreaming of.

Come on down to the island! The prices are fine!

If you have always thought that living at the beach was too expensive, then think again. In 2009 Q1, the average sales price was $438,000 and that has dropped to $401,000 in 2010 Q1. 22 properties sold in 1st Quarter 2010, compared to 11 in the 1st Quarter of 2009. The lower average sales price explains the reason for the increased number of sales. More people are able to move onto Folly Beach, leaving behind the feeling that it is too expensive to live on the beach. Increased demand typically signals the bottom of the market, so if this trend continues we could see prices rise in the future.

Now is a great time to buy a Folly Beach home because of the combination of low prices and low interest rates. Make sure you are working with someone who is an expert in the market and knows their way around the island. Please contact me here with any questions.

I have seen a Folly Beach lot that is available for the cheapest price I have seen in a long time. How much is cheap? Not $500,000. Not $300,000. Not even $200,000. Think lower. Click here to find out.

If you are a builder, or investor, or interested in living on Folly Beach this is a great opportunity. I can help guide you through all the due diligence regarding the property, and can walk you through the permitting and building process on Folly Beach. This is one of the lowest prices for land on Folly Island that I have seen in a long time. Call me for details or click here to contact me.

This Saturday March 13th, 2010, the streets of Folly Beach will turn green to celebrate Saint Patrick’s day, and Folly party-goers will race around Center Street competing for prizes in the annual pub crawl. Everyone please use caution, from what I understand, the open-container law will be lifted, but the streets will be open to traffic! Please be careful “crawling” from one pub to the next. A good time will be had by all, including me, so call me if you want to meet up! I’m buying!

This is an election year on Folly Beach and election day is April 6th. There are three candidates for the Mayor’s office, and seven candidates for City Council. Folly Beach Now is covering the election by providing information that will help voters make informed decisions. You will find answers to your questions about where the candidates stand, information about their backgrounds, and important meetings and dates.

8 Properties sold in the month of January 2010 on Folly Beach, beginning this year with a healthy sales volume just like late 2009. The sales ranged from $225,000 to $550,000 with an average sale of $375,425. The low prices are the reason for the increasing number of sales. Buyers are beginning to bite on the great deals that can be had on Folly Beach.

Out of the 8 sales this month, 4 were some type of foreclosure or short sale situation. The banks are willing to go low. If you have an experienced agent, they can point you in the right direction to find these investment deals. If you are interested in buying or selling on Folly Beach, let an experienced professional guide your way. Contact me here:

There will be Mardi Gras celebrations on Folly Beach this Saturday February 13th, 2010 from 12-5 for the annual Folly Gras party and parade. Wear your beads and most colorful outfit and come down to Center Street and celebrate New Orleans style.

Parade Rules!

Decorated Floats, Golf Carts, Marching, & Alternative transportation only! NO CARS OR TRUCKS UNLESS THEY ARE PULLING A FLOAT! You must be in Mardi Gras costume to participate! We Welcome decorated pets!

Must be at the Folly Beach Public Boat Landing by 1:30 pm for lineup

We have asked our restaurants to prepare special New Orleans food fare and Mardi Gras drinks beginning at 1 pm. There will also be a trophy awarded to a restaurant for Best Food Fare.

We will have live music set up at different locations on Center Street. The Parade will begin at 2 pm and start at the Public Boat Landing. When the Parade ends at the Holiday Inn, Indian, Huron, Hudson will reopen. There will be music, dancing and food in the streets provided by our own businesses from 1 to 5 pm.

Masks will be sold at City Hall for $2.00 first come first served. Free beads given with each mask.

Act fast on this opportunity to own an incredible Folly Beach deep water property for a steal! The builder has thrown his hands up and will let it go at auction prices to avoid foreclosure or short sale. This waterfront property will need to be finished which gives you a chance to add your tastes, and has awesome views of the Folly River Wait! It gets better, it is sold with a shared deep water dock! This is a huge home on Folly Beach for a fraction of what it should really cost. There were two available now only one left.